Kerry Maloney/The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who is charged with protecting quarterback Drew Brees' blind side, said he gained valuable experience playing last season when injuries forced him into the starting lineup early on.

Although he more than held his own against Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen in the Saints' 14-9 season-opening victory Thursday, Bushrod said it was an entire team effort that led to his success. So when asked if he thought he had won the battle against Allen, Bushrod was quick to deflect the attention.

"I would say we won the battle, " Bushrod said. "I really don't harp on individual-type things. We just went out there as 11. It's not an individual game, it's a team game. There were times I counted on my teammates to help me out, and vice versa. Everything just kind of plays hand in hand."

However, to Saints Coach Sean Payton and Bushrod's line mates, it was clear Bushrod had the upper hand, as Allen failed to generate much of a pass rush and wasn't a factor in slowing the Saints' second-half rushing attack.

Unlike last season, when Bushrod often needed help from a tight end or routine chip blocks from running backs against elite defensive ends, he was often left to battle Allen one-on-one Thursday.

Bushrod was flagged once for a false start, but Allen finished with just four tackles and no sacks. In his two games against Allen, including last season's 31-28 overtime NFC championship game victory, Bushrod has held Allen, who has totaled at least 14 ½ sacks in each of the past three season, to six tackles and no sacks.

"I thought (Bushrod) had a heck of a game, " Saints right tackle Jon Stinchcomb said. "Their front four is elite. And constantly he was in one-on-one situations, and constantly he stepped up to the challenge. So I thought he played very well against a very quality opponent.

"There were many situations where there weren't chips or formations, and you have to bow your neck and get the job done. Obviously he rose to the occasion."

Bushrod said he was simply doing his job.

"I just tried to stick to the plan, whether there was help or not, " he said. "I just had to go out there and try to execute."

That the Saints regularly left Bushrod to protect quarterback Drew Brees' blindside is a testament to how much the coaching staff's trust in Bushrod, 6 feet 5, 315 pounds, has grown.

Bushrod, 26, enjoyed some success when he was thrust into the lineup last season and started 14 games after an injury to Pro Bowl tackle Jammal Brown. But there were times when Bushrod's lack of experience and lower body strength were exploited.

Neither was an issue against the Vikings.

"Game experience is definitely a key, " Bushrod said, noting his time starting last season. "You go out in practice and do well in practice, but if you can't try to get the job done sometimes in a game, and just try to get some kind of experience, then it gets tough. So last year helped a lot."

Bushrod's performance last season also proved to the coaches that the team could get by without Brown, who this offseason was seeking a multi-year contract that would have paid him as an elite left tackle. But instead of inking Brown to such a deal, he was all but forced to sign a one-year tender then traded to the Washington Redskins.

Although the Saints used their second-round pick in April's draft to select tackle Charles Brown, the move to ship Jammal Brown to Washington signaled the left tackle position belonged to Bushrod.

"It was hard seeing a guy like that go, because I was behind him for two years, " Bushrod said. "He is a great player, a great friend. Seeing him leave was tough, but it was just an opportunity for me to continue to fight to get better. I understand that we brought another guy in, but it's a fight daily. You can't ever get too comfortable, because playing in this league is a privilege, it's hard work."

Although Bushrod received many congratulations after the Vikings game, he took the praise all in stride, refusing to allow himself to bask in the glow.

Bushrod said he did that once last season. Then he was exploited against the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who despite playing with a neck injury beat Bushrod for two sacks on his way to helping the Cowboys hand the Saints their first loss of the season.

"I wouldn't say I'm comfortable, " Bushrod said. "I don't really like to try to get comfortable in this whole situation, truthfully, because when I did get comfortable -- not really comfortable, but when I got used to playing a little more -- it all kind of backfired on me a little bit.

"You just kind of fight to stay hungry, fight to continue to get better day-to-day. You have to be humble and just try to go out there and help this team have success."

Nakia Hogan can be reached at nhogan@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.